International Community Responds to Devastation in Asian Tragedies The international community is heeding the call for help. In less than three weeks, we have witnessed two major catastrophes, Cyclone Nargis (Myanmar) and the earthquake in China. The American Red Cross has been actively working to support relief efforts with both operations. You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a donation: |
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The first consignment of Red Cross Red Crescent supplies left Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 8 May arriving in Yangon late in the night. The chartered flight carried six tons of emergency shelter items (tarpaulins, ropes, tools, etc). Photo: Reuters/Zainal Abd Halim/courtesy www.alertnet.org American Red Cross Daily Update click here International Myanmar updates click HERE |
Cyclone Nargis (Myanmar) On May 2, 2008, high winds, heavy rain and flood water claimed thousands of lives and damaged hundreds of thousands of homes in southwestern Myanmar. Cyclone Nargis is the worst storm to hit Asia since 1991 when 143,000 people died Bangladesh and the worst to hit Myanmar since 1926 when 2,700 people were killed. The greatest priorities for the Red Cross and its humanitarian partners at this stage of the emergency response are providing shelter and access to clean drinking water to survivors. The American Red Cross has contributed $250,000 to relief efforts and is prepared assist the Myanmar Red Cross with additional aid and supplies, estimated at $1.25 million. The American Red Cross and International Federation will continue to tap into their pre-stocked emergency supplies – such as tarps, hygiene kits and insecticide-treated bed nets – located in warehouses in Kuala Lumpur and Dubai as requested. The International Federation has developed a 30 million dollar campaign to help aid with emergency needs. The American Red Cross is in close contact with its colleagues at the Myanmar Red Cross and the International Federation. We continue to monitor the situation, assess the needs of survivors and stand prepared to offer additional assistance as future needs are identified. |
 Workers try desperately to reach trapped individuals. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people are trapped underneath earthquake debris. Photo Peoples Daily Online News American Red Cross Daily Update Click Here International China Earthquake updates click HERE |
Earthquake in China On Monday, May 12, at 2.28 p.m. Beijing time (6:28 GMT), a major earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, jolted southwestern China's Sichuan Province. Several lower-scale earthquakes and aftershocks followed in the same area. The quake destroyed many buildings in the area, as well as infrastructure like communication towers. Immediately after the quake struck, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) began to mobilize a relief operation for this disaster. The American Red Cross has been in touch with the RCSC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and stands prepared to provide including relief supplies, delegates or financial assistance, as needed. The International Federation has developed a 19 million dollar campaign to help with immediate needs. The American Red Cross has committed 10 million dollars towards this campaign. This was sent to the Federation on May 15th. |
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